Police 4 lightweight models

[Manifestgtr]

Far be it from me to ever tell Spyderco what I think they should do…and to be honest, I don’t even know if it’s a particularly profitable model when you look at the bigger picture.

But the P4 lw is such a great platform. It’s a slicer, so you don’t have to puzzle at the thought of steels like rex-121, S110V or maxamet being used. Being a slicer means that it already benefits from the highly sharpenable steels it’s already offered in…k390, pd#1 and VG-10.

For me, the Police 4 stands with the Stretch 2xl, Shaman and Sage 5 lw in the sense that a new release will always get interest from me…and let’s face it, probably a purchase, too. I’m not even a DLC guy but the pd#1 p4 was the very first model I grabbed from that series, even before the Stretch…

[olywa]

I finally sprang for a Police 4 LW. I couldn't resist the pricing on the k390 SE that was discontinued. I continue to be amazed at how small it carries but how big it performs.

[yablanowitz]

Far be it from me to ever tell Spyderco what I think they should do…and to be honest, I don’t even know if it’s a particularly profitable model when you look at the bigger picture.

But the P4 lw is such a great platform. It’s a slicer, so you don’t have to puzzle at the thought of steels like rex-121, S110V or maxamet being used. Being a slicer means that it already benefits from the highly sharpenable steels it’s already offered in…k390, pd#1 and VG-10.

For me, the Police 4 stands with the Stretch 2xl, Shaman and Sage 5 lw in the sense that a new release will always get interest from me…and let’s face it, probably a purchase, too. I’m not even a DLC guy but the pd#1 p4 was the very first model I grabbed from that series, even before the Stretch…

Big problem is steels like REX-121 and Maxamet is they tend to warp durining machining, and the longer the blade the worse the problem is. Even if the Japanese makers were willing to work with those steels, the rejection rate is problematic.

[Cowboyfromhell]

I have the pd1 sprint and discontinued k390 serrated, I agree about how nice it carries for a large knife. Legendary model for sure!

[Blades]

I saw a great price on an LW Police K390 and almost bought it. I don't know if it was serrated or plain edge but I may go back and look again.

[abbazaba]

P4 was easily knife of the year for me when it dropped. Same with the S2XL. Bodacious looks set to be this year's.

Still gotta pick up an FRN tho

[James Y]

I have a basic VG-10 P4 LWT. Excellent knife. The only things I wish were different are that in the closed position, by design, the blade tip doesn't go deep enough into the handle.

The other thing is that I have to carry it tip-down. If I have it in tip-up position, the clip contact point is on the rough checkering pattern. But I don't really mind that much.

Jim

[p_atrick]

I find tip down to be a more natural and easier opening experience when drawing the knife from my pocket. Everyone’s hands are different, but this is the one model where I prefer tip down carry.

[Manifestgtr]

P4 was easily knife of the year for me when it dropped. Same with the S2XL. Bodacious looks set to be this year's.

Still gotta pick up an FRN tho

That’s the g10 k390 model, right? I’ve yet to find one of those for a reasonable price. I’ve wanted one for years but missed the initial boat and now they’re rare enough to command silly prices when somebody puts one up.

[sal]

Models like the P4 and the XL, I designed specifically to suit my personal tastes. I like larger knives, as a large knife will do almost anything a small knife will do, but the reverse isn't rue. Also, larger knives work better for food prep. Knife length limit laws do present a challenge and a decision when carrying them.

sal

[jwbnyc]

Quite a few knives in my pile aren’t street legal for me, the Police amongst them, unfortunately. It’s not just length at times, sometimes it’s purpose.

[Coastal]

Models like the P4 and the XL, I designed specifically to suit my personal tastes. I like larger knives, as a large knife will do almost anything a small knife will do, but the reverse isn't rue.

sal

Me too, Sal! I found the Police and Military Model early in their respective runs, and they're still among my favorites. The Stretch 2 XL became my very favorite as soon as I held it.

[Wartstein]

Models like the P4 and the XL, I designed specifically to suit my personal tastes. I like larger knives, as a large knife will do almost anything a small knife will do, but the reverse isn't rue. Also, larger knives work better for food prep...

Occasional food prep is one of the reasons for me too why I like to carrylarger folders (Stretch XL / Endura edge length, the Police should do even better in that kind of tasks though).

I always like when you, Sal, and others mention that you do use your folders for food prep sometimes too.
There are folks who appearantly scratch their heads when they hear that people use folders for cutting food.
And while everyone who does not like to do that has my fullest respect, on the other hand I don't get when people find it weird if one does (cut food with folders).

[RustyIron]

And while everyone who does not like to do that has my fullest respect, on the other hand I don't get when people find it weird if one does (cut food with folders).

Some people just don't get it. I'm a little particular about what I eat, and I can't imagine hacking my food to bits with a dull butter knife. Sometimes people are trying to be nice and offer to bring me a "proper" knife, and I explain that my knife is far sharper than anything they could possibly offer. Only once have I had a snotty lady ask, "where has that knife been?!" I replied that my knife is well cared for and probably cleaner than anything she has in her kitchen. And it was. But my point was a bit disingenuous. I'm a filthy outdoorsman, and I've happily gobbled up food with bare hands that haven't been washed in far too long. I don't really care if my knife is dirty.

[aicolainen]

I usually don't want or need to use my folding knives for food prep when I'm in my own kitchen.

But very often I'm staying at someone else's place, and crap knives with zero maintenance is more or less par for the course when out n' about.

And as as often as I can, I make my food outdoors.

If and when I carry a fixed blade too, it's usually intended for harder tasks and has a corresponding geometry that makes it less than ideal for food tasks. So I too often find my folding knives to be the better option for food related tasks.

[Wartstein]

I usually don't want or need to use my folding knives for food prep when I'm in my own kitchen.

But very often I'm staying at someone else's place, and crap knives with zero maintenance is more or less par for the course when out n' about.

And as as often as I can, I make my food outdoors.

If and when I carry a fixed blade too, it's usually intended for harder tasks and has a corresponding geometry that makes it less than ideal for food tasks. So I too often find my folding knives to be the better option for food related tasks.

Perfectly put, I fully agree!
... and great to see that Stretch 1...

[olywa]

Whenever I pick up a new large folder I throw it on the kitchen window sill for a couple of weeks. Using it for food prep is a pretty good intro.

[ZrowsN1s]

I'm loving the PD#1 red and black version. There aren't nearly enough variants.

The G-10 will always be my favorite, but there is something convenient about the lightweights. Sweatpants carry is useful.

[SchoonerBum]

I’ve put off buying a Police for ages in the hope that we’ll see a linerless salt version at some point. Has anyone heard any rumors one way or the other? I would really like one for food prep.

Edit: For food prep when floating in salt water, specifically.

[Tristan_david2001]

Models like the P4 and the XL, I designed specifically to suit my personal tastes. I like larger knives, as a large knife will do almost anything a small knife will do, but the reverse isn't rue. Also, larger knives work better for food prep. Knife length limit laws do present a challenge and a decision when carrying them.

sal

Hey Sal, would you say the same thing for your calypso and caly 4 designs ? From what I see those designs also seem to excel the most as a large spyderco edc folder from your preferences, and even using more classic trademark features like the leaf shape, swell style ergonomics, and a more carefully crafted Japanese manufacturer..